Grilling Freak

Well, dishes are done, garbage can is filled with gnawed on bones, all things considered, it was a good day.  Prep started at about 4 yesterday, and resumed when I was able to coax my sore bones out of bed at about 9am today.  ( Its weird waking up and not having the pygmy children of this establishment running around....we also sleep in later ).  Up first was Great Grandma Nelda's BBQ sauce.  This is an uber secret recipe to be shared with no one....the original was written on velum, right next to those stone tablets that everyone is always talking about.  There was an 11th stone tablet...Thou shall not eat bad BBQ, and don't use store bought sauce, but people tend to forget about this one.  Funny story, when I was buying groceries for today, a very young checker asked about my cart, and I told him I was making BBQ sauce...he had this smirk and informed me that the BBQ sauce was located right next to the Ketchup, I must have missed it.  Actually, I think he missed it but oh well!

I made a couple of batches as one is never enough!  We will probably BBQ something else this week, and it will be a welcome addition to what ever I BBQ.  Next up, is a good rib rub.  I have been working on my rib rub for years, never really ever able to get something that is what I want.  I scoured the Internet, and still found nothing that tickled my fancy.  I opened up the cabinet, took stock and an idea was formed. 

I never measure, I find it a waste of time, but I can never get anything just right the next time I make it.  I measured this time!! 

1/3 Cup Sea Salt ( If you cheat like me and have a propane grill look for Alder Smoked Sea Salt..Yummy! )
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
2 Tablespoons Sweet Paprika
2 Tablespoons Ancho Chile Powder
2 Tablespoons Ground Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Cayenne pepper
2 Tablespoons Dried Thyme
2 Tablespoons Dried Rosemary ( Use a mortar and pestle to crush the above 2, it really makes a difference )
2 Tablespoons Cumin
1 Tablespoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon Allspice 

Mix it all together, and put it into a Tupperware container. 

This does tend to make alot, BUT use it then stick it away in your cupboard and you always have it! 

Okay, so we got the sauce, and we got the rub....oh yeah, its time for ribs!

Now for the tools of the trade

I got all of my tools ready to operate.....and did not find a membrane on the back of the ribs...I had to call for a second opinion....either OH WELL!

I had 3 Racks, so I did a double layer of foil, gave my ribs a sensuous rub down, wrapped them, and added another layer of foil.

Wow, all of that for some stinkin meat!  HEY my rub don't stink!

So we have the main course, what about desert?  Homemade Ice Cream.  Now...it sure does help if you read the directions, I was going to make this the day of, so I put it down on my list of stuff to do...then read the recipe and it says the batter needs to set overnight.  Whoops, guess I'm still cookin. 

First thing this morning ( well its still first thing if I am up and moving less than 30 minutes after getting up ) Put the Ice Cream mix in the maker, and started on the Pineapple Upside Down Cake....what was that...what did I cook it in...OH YEAH...my best Friend the Cast Iron Skillet. 

11am I put the ribs on.  I put them on still wrapped.  I have 5 burners, so I had them ALL on, then when the meat goes on the grill I turn down the 4 burners that the ribs are on.  I cook them for an hour on each side, then I cook them for an hour un covered, then 30 Min's with the uber secret sauce.  Wow, that's real easy.  Its real quiet out side...not a bird chirping, not a leaf blower or lawn mower in ear shot...and no sound from the BBQ regulator.  That's right, I ran out of propane, that's okay because I roll with 2 tanks.  Um yeah...I swapped out tanks 2 weeks ago.  Uh Oh.  I ran down to Hollywood Hardware...every one in my neighborhood was there...and all of them needed special help.  20 minutes later I had my propane installed, and the temperature was still at 200 degrees.  Gotta Love Cast Iron Grates huh?  So I thought that I would try to compensate for the temperature issues so I cooked them a bit longer.  Ribs turned out not quite so perfect, but I think I am just a bit hard on myself. 

Dinner with Friends and family was the perfect way to end this weekend.  Dinner Menu was;

Ribs
Coleslaw
Mac and Cheese ( Heck yeah it was home made )
Auntie C's beans
Hot Dogs and Chips for the boys
Home Made Ice Cream
Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Busy weekend it was, but alot was accomplished.  Jelly was made, people were fed.  Hey did you hear that?  Sorry, I thought it was Calgon calling my name...its just a one of the local inhabitants of the dwelling.  Till next time...keep your Cast Iron seasoned, and your ribs rubbed.  Later!